Evaluating iSAT climate-informed agro-advisories for farm decisions and system performance in Senegal’s drylands

Smallholder farmers in Africa’s drylands face increasing climate risks, compounded by limited access to inputs, credit, and climate information. Climate Information Service(CIS) can support adaptation, yet adoption remains low due to insufficient localized data and limited availability of tailored advisories. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Intelligent Agricultural Systems Advisory Tool (iSAT), a climate-informed advisory system adapted for Senegal and delivered through Interactive Voice Response (IVR) in local languages. Deployed in 18 villages, the tool reached over 2,700 farmers during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Its impact was assessed through pre- and post-season household surveys and focus group discussions. Propensity Score Matching(PSM) was used to identify comparable treatment and control villages, and statistical analyses examined differences in yields, input and labor costs, and adoption of climate-smart practices. Farmers who received iSAT advisories recorded significantly higher yields for key crops, with millet yields increasing by 41% and groundnut yields by 21% (p < 0.05) compared with matched control farmers. Input and labor costs were 24% lower among advisory users, indicating improved cost-effectiveness. Cowpea exhibited no significant yield differences, reflecting its low-management requirements and the smaller number of users who cultivated it. Nevertheless, farmer feedback consistently highlighted the usefulness of the advisories for planning and managing climate risks. These findings demonstrate the potential of localized advisory systems to strengthen climate-smart agriculture in resource-limited environments. Scaling such tools will require investment in meteorological infrastructure, digital delivery platforms, and partnerships that enhance climate and digital literacy while supporting long-term adoption among vulnerable smallholders.